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(No Model.)

I J. OGDNNOR.

7 CAR GOUPLING.

No. 282,009. Patented July 24, 1883,

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TVibteSS as Z/Aw/ 6 [CM 1 @Mazvq. flaw/l It QQK IQ/M UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN OOONNOR, OF TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA.

CAR=COUPL|NG.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 282,009, dated July 24, 1883.

Application filed April 27,1883. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OHN OOoNNon, of the city of Toronto, in the county of York, in the Province of Ontario, bookkeeper, have invented an Improved Oar-Coupler, of which the following is a specification.

The object of the invention is to devise a simple contrivance for supporting the coupling-pin in the draw-head, which will permit the said pin to drop into the link when the draw-heads of two cars are brought together; and it consists, essentially, of a sliding plate having an oblong hole through which the pin passes, the said hole being of suchashape that when the plate extends out beyond the end of the draw-head the hole will not permit the pin to pass; but when the plate is compressed in by coming in contact with the plate on the draw-head approaching it the shape of the hole is such that the said alteration in the position of the plate permits the pin to fallv through the draw-head into the link just entered.

Figure l is a perspective view of two drawheads provided with my coupling-pin supporting attachment. Fig. 2 is a perspective detail of the supporting-plate. Fig. 3 is a view of the coupling-pin.

It is well-known to railway-men that there is no danger in uncoupling cars, the great danger to life and limb being at the time when the cars are being coupled. It is therefore not necessary to devise means by which the cars may be uncoupled without going between them. I have therefore directed my entire attention in devising a simple contrivancc by which the cars in coming together will automatically couple; and although my contrivance could easily have mechanism arranged with it for uncoupling without the necessity of going between the cars, I do not think such mechanism necessary, and do not therefore describe any in this application.

In the drawings, the coupler on the left-hand side is shown with my device set so as to support the coupling-pin, while the draw-l1ead on the right-hand side of the figure shows the link held in position by the coupling-pin.

O11 reference to Fig. 3 it will be noticed that the coupling-pin A is smaller in diameter for the lower portion of its length than it is at the upper portion of its length, the small portion of the pin A extending from its end up to a point where the plate B is supported. This plate B, as shown in Fig. 2, has a hole, 0 0, made through it. The portion of the hole marked O is smaller in diameter than the portion marked 0, the former part of the hole being just large enough to allow the small por tion of the pin A to pass through, while the shoulder formed by the differences in the diameter of the pin forms a support to prevent the pin passing farther through. The part of the hole marked 0 is large enough. in diame ter to allow the pin to go entirely through; it follows therefore that when the plate B is set so that the portion of the hole marked O is below the coupling-pin hole in the frame D, the pin A will be supported, as shown in Fig. 1. When the plate B is moved so as to bring the part of the hole marked 0 below the couplingpin hole in the frame D, the pin A will fall clear through till the shoulder which supported it by resting on the plate D comes in contact with the top of the draw-head E, the hole in the draw-head being smaller than the hole O. As shown in the draw-head on the left-hand side of Fig. 1, the plate B extends out beyond the end of the draw-head E. I The pinA is also lifted, and as it passes through the portion of the hole in plate marked 0 the pin is supported in the position shown. As the drawheads come together the link F enters the draw-head E, and the plate B on the right-hand draw-head comes in contact with the plate B on the left'hand draw-head, pushing the latter in until the hole 0 comes immediately below thepin A, when the pin will drop down, and as the link is at that time in position the desired coupling will be efiected. As it is desirable that the plate not at the time in use for sup porting the pin shall be well back against the support D, I provide a spring, G, which fits into a notch in the plate B when thesaid plate ispushed back. This spring insures that the plates shall always be held when pushed back, and is of such a shape that it can easily be raised in order to permit-the plate to be drawn out. e

In the drawings, and the description I have shown the frame D attached to the draw-head.

' I think this will be the best position for it;

but it will, of course, be understood that I do not confine myself to the exact position shown, as the said frame might be attached to the draw-head timbers above the draw-head and might in that position answer the desired end.

Vhat I claim as my invention is-- 1. In a self-acting car-coupler, a couplingpin having a shoulder formed on it, as specified, in combination with a plate, 13, carried by the support I), and having a hole, 0 0, made through it, one portion of which is smaller bination with a spring, G, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

Toronto, 14th day of April, A. D. 1883.

JOHN OCONNOR.

In presence of- Grills. O. BALDWIN, F. B. FETHEnsroNrIAUen. 

